Recording instrument



Feb. 27, 1923. 1,446,961

R. Fl EBRCDVVrJ RECORDING INSTRUMENT Filed Aug. 17, 1921 s sheret-sheet 1 Feb. 27, 1923. 1,446,961

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lNvE'NTOR I fizz cfiardPBrvW/Q TTOIFNEY Patented Feb. 27, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD P. BROWN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE BROWN INSTRUMENT COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

RECORDING INSTRUMENT.

Application filed August 17, 1921.

T 0 (177 Whom it may concern Be it known that I. RICHARD P. BROWN, a citizenot the United States. and a resident of Philadelphia. county of Philadelphia. State of Pennsylvania. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Recording Instruments. of which the following is a specification.

Some of the objects of the present invention are to provide a combined recording and controlling instrument for temperatures of a heating medium; to provide an improved milli-voltmeter or galvanometer recording instrument whereby both records and control or indication of temperatue are made possible; to provide means for simultaneously recording and causing control of temperature of a heating medium; to provide an adjustable contact mechanism whereby a. predetermined temperature can be maintained in a heating medium substantially constant; to provide in combination with a temperature recording device means operable therewith for controlling or indicating the temperature recorded; to provide means for selectively controlling a plurality of electrically operated devices in accordance with the temperature of a heating medium' and simultaneously recording such temperature: and to provide other improvements as will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 represents a sectional elevation of a recording instrument embodying one form of the present invention; Fig. 2 represents a section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 represents a detail in rear elevation of one form of contact mounting arranged for universal movement; Fig. 5 represents a modified formof contact control mechanism; Fig. 6 represents one form of adjusting means for the contact control mechanism: Fig. 7 represents one form of wiring diagram for signalling purposes; and Fig. 8 represents one form of wiring diagram for furnace regulation.

Referring to the drawings. one form of the present invention is shown in- Figs. 1. 2 and 3 comprising anelectricalinstrument aranged for recording'the temperature of a furnace and also controlling by signalling or regulating the temperature of the furnace, consisting of a recording instrument 10 Seri No. 492,937.

of the galvanometer or millivoltmeter type having a record or chart sheet 11. a carbon or other colored impression strip 12, a pointer 13 and a depressor bar 14. The sheet or paper 11 is arranged to be fed in any well known manner substantially parallel to and in close proximity to a plate 15-'carried between rigid arms 16 of the instrument frame. The coloredimpression strip 12 is mounted to be fed laterally across the paper 11. and in the present construction passes between the paper 11 and the pointer or index 13. This pointer 13 is pivoted at 17 to the sensitive element 18 of the instrument in the usual manner and carries a depending lug 20 which is arranged to strike the impression strip 12 when the pointer 13 is actuated by the depressor bar ll.- The sensitive" element 18 is actuated by a thermocouple 21 or other temperature responsive device located at'the furnace. the temperature of which is to be recorded and indicated or controlled. The depressor bar 14 is suitably pivoted at 22 to the arms 16 or any other fixed part and is periodicallyoperated by a suitable timing mechanism of standard construction which need not here be described in detail. for example. such as shown in patent to Chapman X0. 1.299.427.

The depressor bar ll has a contour following the arc of travel of the pointer 13 so that in any operative position of the pointer 13 the said pointer will be located below the bar 14 and be actuated by the movement of the depressor.

The foregoing construction operates to record upon the record paper a dot or other indication each time the depressor bar 14 is actuated to strike the pointer 13. and as the pointer 13 is correctly positioned as to temperature with respect to the graduations upon the record paper. a true record is made of the temperature of the furnace.

,For the purpose of controlling certain electrically operated devices. for either indicating or regulating "furnace temperature. at the same time that a record is made of the temperature of the furnace or other heating unit. one form of the present invention comprises a pair of contacts 23 and A fixedly mounted upon the depressor bar 15 and insulated from each other and from the depressor bar 14. The location of these contacts 23 and 24 is made with respect to a point corresponding to a predetermined maximnm temperature which is'to be maintained, this point being preferably equidisstant from the contacts but in close proxi-- J inity thereto. Associated with but insulated also including electrically operated devices.

The two sets of contacts are respectively closed by the action of the depressor bar 14 and the pointer 13.

, When the predetermined temperature is inearly reached thepointer 13 assumes a position in alinement with the contactor'25, so that the downward movement of the depressor bar 14 causes the contactor 25 to "strike the pointer 13 and thus be moved to engage the contact 23 to cause the circuit to be closed,which operates to control or indicate a temperature less than the predetermined temperature. Similarly, when the pointer 13 passes beyond the predetermined temperature it comes into the path of the contactor 27 so that, when the depressor bar 14 operates, the contactor 27 is caused to engage the contact 24 and close the circuit for controlling excess furnace temperature.

vThe two circuits may be arranged to respectively control the lighting of indicating lamps or for controlling directly suitable electrically operated furnace regulating mechanisms. In view of the full disclosure in connection with other formsof the invention, it is believed to be unnecessar'y to show.the aforesaid complete circuits.

- Under conditions where the'furnace temperature is different for different operations, the fixed contact form of the invention may bemodified by mounting the two sets of contacts and contac-tors upon an arm 29, coaxially pivoted with respect to the pointer 13,

the said contacts 23 and 24 and contactors 25 and 27 being in such a position as to be closed between the depressor bar 14 and pointer 13 when the former operates. The arm 29 has screw threaded engagement with a set screw 30 which is threaded through the sides of the depressor bar 14 and has a head 30 by which it can be manually adjusted to clamp the arm29 to the depressor bar14 in any predetermined position to correspond to 'the required furnace temperature. In some instances it may-be desir ble to have. the set screw 30 extend outside of the instrument case so that the head 30 is accessible for adjustment without opening the instrument case. while in other instances the set screw 30 may be entirely enclosed and be accessible for adjustment only by opening the instrument case.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 a construction is illustrated for multiple signalling or multiple control.- ling while making a record of furnace temperature. In this construction the preferred arrangement is tohave the recording index or pointer 13 select one of three signalling or control circuits depending upon the temperature at the-furnace or other heating me dium, such circuits corresponding respectively to the predetermined temperature, atemperature below such predetermined temperature and a temperature above-such predetermined temperature.

For the purpose of locating the respective circuit closing devices in operative relation with respect to the recording index 13, a pivoted arm 31 is provided, which is preferably of'tubular form to carry the several circuit conductors, and has a block 32 of insulating material fixed thereto adjacent its free end. This block 32 carries three contacts 33, 34 and 35 arranged respectively in juxtaposed relation to three contactors 36, 37 and 38 fixed respectively to fingers 40, 41 and 42 pivoted to the arm 31 so that each is independently operable. The fingers 40, 41 and 42 are insulated from the arm 31 but the contactors 36, 37 and 38 are connected to a conductor 43 common to all and serving as a common return for the several circuits controlled by the contacts 33, 34 and 35. The outer ends of the respective contact fingers 40, 41 and 42 terminate below the depressor bar 14 and carry respectively index engaging members 43. 44 and 45. The extremity of the arm 3l'is suitably connected to the depressor bar 14 to follow the periodic stroke of the said bar 14 but the connection is such as to permit the arm 31 to slide laterally relative to the bar 14 so that the position of the members 43, 44 and 45 can be changed for different selected temperatures.

In order that the arm 31, while moving. shall conform to the arc of the depressor bar 14, it is pivotally mounted upon a pin 46 carried by a yoke 47 and the position of these parts is such that the pin 46 is in fixed coaxial relation with respect to the vertical axis 48 .of the galvanometer or other sensitive element 18 which carries the index or pointer 13. Furthermore. the yoke 47 is suspended for pivotal movement upon pins 50 respectively supported in brackets 51- which are fast to a fixed partof the instrument case. such as the inner portion of the} top 52. Thus the arm 31 is mounted foruniversal movement in that it can be swung,

from one side to the other in a plane parallel to the plane of movement of the pointer 13, and also can be moved towards and away from the pointer 13 following the movement of the depressor bar 14.

As a means for adjusting the arm 31 to any desired set position to correspond with the predeterminec'l temperature at which .the furnace is to operate, a feed screw is provided which is mounted transversely of the arm 31 in brackets 54. which are fixed to the inside of the instrument top 52. Bushings arefixed to the feed screw and abut the respective brackets 54 so that while the feed screw 53 is free to rotate, it is prevented from movement in an axial direction. A leader nut 56 has threaded engagement with the feed screw 53 and carries two depending lugs 57 which straddle the arm 31 1-1126-1088 ,proximity thereto. and in consequence any turning movement of the feed screw 53 causes the leader nut 56 to move along the feed screw in one direction or the other according to the direction of rotation of the feed screw and in consequence one or the other of the lugs 57 pushes thearm 31 to a new position. A hand knob 58 or the like is fixed to the feed screw 53 so that the desired adjustment can be readil v made.

Referring now to Fig. 7. one form of the electrically operated device comprises three electric lamps, preferably of different color. say a green lamp 60, a white lamp 61 and a red lamp 6:2, which are included respectively in three circuits 63. 64 and 65. which for conveniencehzuie a common source of current 66 and common conductors 67 and 43.- The circuit 63 includes conductor 43. contactor 36. contact a conductor 68. lamp 60, conduct-or 67 and the source 66. The circuit 64 includes conductor contactor 37. contact 34, a conductor 70. lamp 61. conductor 67 and the source 66. The ciracuit 65 includes conductor contactor 33,

contact- 35*, a -"conductor 71'. lamp 62. conductor 67 and the source 66. A resistance 72 is also preferably included as a common element of the aforesai'd'circuits.

The operation of the form of the inveution employing. operation of signals as in Fig. 7 is as follows: Thearm 31 is initially set-in a position corresponding to the position to be occupied by the index 13,-when thermo-couple 21 and the galvanometer 18, towards the contact selecting mechanism as the temperature increases, while the depressor bar 14 is periodically reciprocated to cause record impressions to be made by the pointer 13 upon the chart paper 11. Just prior to reaching the position corresponding to the desired furnace temperature, the pointer 13reaches a position beneath the contactor 36, whereupon the working stroke of the depressor bar 14 causes the element 43. upon the finger 40 to strike the pointer 13 so that the finger 40 is turned about its pivot to bring the contactor 36 into engagement with the contact 33. This closes the circuit 63 and causes the green lamp 60 to light. thus indicating the furnace temperature is below the required or predetermined temperature. Simultaneously with this in dication a record dot or other mark is made upon the chart paper 11. Continued records and green lamp indications are now made periodically until the furnace reaches the predetermined temperature, at which time the pointer 13 has moved under the finger element 44, whereupon the working stroke of the depressor bar 14 causes the finger 41 to turn about its pivot and bring contactor 37 into engagement with the con tact 34 to close the circuit 64 including the white lamp 61. thus giving an indication that the furnace is at the correct temperature while at the same time making a record of that temperature. Vhile the furnace temperature remains constant at the predetermined temperature, periodic records and white lamp indications are made, thus showing as well as recording the temperature condition at the furnace.

In case the furnace temperature rises above the predetermined temperature, the pointer13 mores under the element 45 upon the contactor finger 42 so that the working stroke of the depressor bar 14 causes the ele ment 45 to strike the pointer 13 and thus turn the finger 42 and bring the contactor 33 into engagement with the contact to close the circuit 65 and thus light the red lamp As long as the temperature of the furnace remains in excess of the desired temperature, periodic records and red lamp indications 'will be made at substantially the same time. 4

It will be understood that after each working stroke of the depressor bar 14 and the closing of any of the contacts the selected circui is broken upon the return stroke of the depressor bar 14, since the contactor fingers 40, 41 and 42 are respectively returned to their initial or normal positions by springs 73, 74 and 75.

lVhere the invention is used for direct regulation of furnace,.temperature, one of the three sets of contact closing devices carried by the arm 31 isentirely disconnected,

say for example the circuit including contact 34 and'the cont actor 37, while the other two sets are disconnected from the signal circuits and connected respectively to circuits including a furnace regulating mechanism.

Referring to Fig. 8, one form of such furnace regulating mechanism is shown diagrammatically included in the complete system, the electrical instrument 10, thermocouple 2-1, and other associated parts being designated by reference numerals heretofore employed in the foregoing description. A furnace 75' of the electrically heated type has been selected for purposes of illustration and has a heating unit 76 of standard form, one terminal of which is connected by a conductor 77 to one side of the service line or other source of current, while the other terminal thereof is connected by a conductor 78 to a movable circuit closer arm 80 of an automatic control switch 81, The arm 80 is pivotally mounted and arranged to move in one direction by gravity and in the other direction by the action of a re lay coil 82. In the present construction the heating unit circuit is broken when gravity acts to move the arm 80, and when the arm 80 is moved by the energizing of the coil 82 it closes the heating circuit by engaging a contact. 83. This contact 83 is connected by aconductor 84 with the opposite side of the service line with respect to the con.- ductor 77.

For automatically controlling the energizing of the coil 82 one end of its'winding is connected by a conductor 85 to the conductor 84 while the other end of its winding has two paths, one by way of a conductor 86 to binding post 0 upon the instrument case, and the other by Way of a resistor 88 and conductor 89 to the opposite/side of the service line from the conductor 84. The binding post C is connected to the conductor 43, which is the common return for the contactors 36 and 38. The contact 33 of the low temperature control circuit is connected by a conductor 90 to a binding post Lwhich isconnected by a conductor 91 to the posit-ive side of the service line. The contact- 35 of the high temperature control circuit is connected by a conductor 92 to a binding post which is connected by a conductor 93 to the negative side of the service line. Supplemental conductors 94 and 95 lead re spec-tively f m the service line to binding posts 96 and 7 for the pyrometer operating mechanism as will be understood. The ,thermo-couple 21 is connected by conductd' 98 and 99 to respective binding posts 100and 101 for the operation of the sensitive element.

In the operation of the switch 81 the line current flows through the resistor 88 and s through the coil 82 but with the resistor ea in circuit the magnetic pull of the coil 82 is not suflicient to draw the closer arm to its closed position, though if the closer arm 80 is in its closed position the pull-is suflicient to so hold it. v

When the recording instrument is in operation and the temperature is below the predetermined temperature so that the depressor bar 14 causes the contact 33 and contactor 36 to close, a circuit is closed by way 75 of conductor 90, binding post L, conductor 91, across the service line, conductors 84 and through coil 82, conductor 86 to binding post C, and conductor 43 to contactor-36. This short circuits the resistor 88 so that the full strength of the coil 82 pulls the closer arm 80 to closed position, thereby directing the current by way of contact 83 and causing the heat unit 76 to operate to heat the furnace. ,l Vhen the depressor bar 14 causes the contacts 83 and 36 to break the short circuit, the arm 80 is stillheld in closed position. as heretofore explained, and the heat ing of the furnace continues. Normally, of course for starting and heating up the furname, the. closer arm 80 is in its closed position and so remains until the temperature has reached the desired point.

When the temperature rises above the predetermined temperature the operation of the depressor bar 14 causes the contact 35 and contactor 38 to close the circuit of conductor 92, binding post H, conductor 93, across service line, conductor 89, resistor 88. conductor 86, binding post C, return conductor 100 43 to contact 35. This short circuits the coil 82 and the weight of the closer arm 80 re turns it to inoperative position with the: main circuit broken at contact 83. The heating unit- 7 6 thereupon ceases to heat the fur- 105 nace and the temperature falls until such time as the low temperature circuit again operates and causes the heating unit 76 to again function.

In the foregoing description it will be understood that the term furnace is used entirely in a generic sense and is to be considered as including an oil still, a kiln, or any other kind or type of heating medium wherein the temperature thereof is to be 5 recorded and regulated.

It will thus be apparent that for each recording step of the instrument there is a corresponding control step, eitheudirectly by regulating the furnace temperature or indirectly by causing signals corresponding to the furnace temperature to be operated so that the furnace can be given the attention re uired.

avingthus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a recording instrument, the combination of a record sheet, an electrically operated device for temperature control purposes and impact means for both making a temperature record on said sheet and also causing said electrically operated device to function for control purposes.

2. In a recording instrument, the combination of a record sheet. an electrically operated device arranged to function for a purpose other than making a record. and impact means for both making a temperature record on said sheet and also causing said electrically operated device to function.

3. In a recording instrument, the combination of a record sheet, an electrically operated device arranged to function for a purpose other than making a record.'and impact means for simultaneously making a temperature record on said sheet and also causing said electrically operated device to function.

4. In a recording instrument, the combination of a record sheet, an electrically operated device arranged to function for a purpose other than making a record, and means including an electrical contact mechanism for making a temperature record on said sheet and causingsaid electrically operated device to function.

5. In a recording instrument. the com bination of a record sheet, an electrically operated device arranged to function for a purpose other than making a record, and means including a pointer or index for impacting with said sheet to make a record and causing said electrically operated device to function.

6; In a recording instrument, the combination of a record sheet, an electrically operated device arranged to function for a purpose other than making a record, and means including a depressor bar for simultaneously making a temperature record on said sheet and causing said electrically operated device to function.

7. In a recording instrument, the combination of a record sheet, an electrically operated device arranged to function for a purpose other than making a record, and means including a pointer or index for impacting with said sheet to make a record and simultaneously causing said electrically operated device to function.

8. In a recording instrument, the com-- pointer or index for making a temperature record on said sheet, a depressor bar, an electrically operated device, a contact mechanism fixed to said depressor bar at a point corresponding to a predetermined furnace temperature for causlng said electrically operated device to function, and means to cause said depressor bar to actuate saidv recording means and to close said contact mechanism.

10. In a recording instrument of the millivoltmeter or galvanometer type, the combination of a record sheet, means including a pointer or index for making a temperature record on said sheet, an electrically operated device, a contact mechanism mounted in fixed relation to said record sheet in a position corresponding to a predetermined temperature on said sheet for controlling said electrically operated device, and a depressor bar arranged to actuate both said record making means and said contact mechanism. whereby a record is made on said sheet and said electrically operated device is actuated.

11. In a recording instrument of the millivoltmeter or galvanometer type, the combination of a record sheet, means including a pointer or index for making a temperature record on said sheet, an electrically operated device, a movable contact mechanism, means to vary the position of said contact mechanism with respect to said sheet in accordance with different predetermined temperatures, and a depressor bar arranged to actuate both said record making means and 100 said contact mechanism, whereby a record is madeon said sheet and said electrically operated device is actuated.

12. In a recording instrument, the combination of a record sheet, means including 105 a pointer or index for making a temperature record on said sheet, an electrically operated device, a contact mechanism mounted in fixed relation to said record sheet in a position corresponding to a predetermined H0 temperature onsaid sheet for controlling said electrically operated device, and a depressor bar arranged to actuate both said record making means and said contact mechanism, whereby a record is made on said 115 sheet and said electrically operated device is actuated.

13. In a recording instrument, the combination of a record sheet, means including a pointer or index for making a tempera- 120 ture record on said sheet, an electrically operated device, a movable contact mechanism, means to vary theposition of said contact mechanism with respect to said sheet in accordance with different predetermined 1.25 temperatures, and a depressor bar arranged to actuate both said record making means and said contact mechanism, whereby a record is made on said sheet and said electrically operated device is actuated.

1 4. In an electrical instrument, the combination of a pivoted pointer'or index, a depressor bar pivoted to intercept said pointer or in'dex, anarm pivoted to follow the movement of said pointer and also pivoted to follow the movement of said depressor bar,

an electrical contact mechanism carried by said arm and positioned to be actuated by movement of said depressor bar towards :Laaaecr towards said pointer, and means for periodically actuating said depressor'bar;

16. In an electrical instrument, the combination of a pivoted pointer or index, an arm pivoted coaxially with respect to said pointer or index and normally held in one position with respect to said pointer, means to adjust said arm to other predetermined positions, an electrical contact mechanism carried by said arm, and means including a depressor bar arranged to periodically cooperate with said arm and pointer to actuate said contact mechanism.

Signed at Philadelphia, county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, this 15th day of August, 1921.

RICHARD P. 'BROVVN. 

